Like every other player heading into the 2005 MLS SuperDraft, Chad Barrett was unsure where he would begin his professional career. A military brat, Barrett spent parts of his youth all over the world, but because he was born in San Diego, attended high school in Beaverton, Oregon, and went off to college at UCLA, he had several previous ties to the West Coast.
“When I was being drafted, my agent actually thought that I was going to go to San Jose,” explained Barrett. “And then LA traded up with someone to take the spot in front of them.”
Either way, it appeared likely that Barrett would remain in California, with the Quakes and Galaxy expressing interest and holding back-to-back picks. However, despite the flurry of draft-day trades involving the two clubs, Barrett didn’t end up with either of them.
“I ended up going to Chicago with the pick before that and it was a big surprise.”
Now after 11 years with stints in Chicago (2005-08), Toronto (2008-10), Los Angeles (2011-12), New England (2013) and Seattle (2014-15), Barrett has come full circle, signing the first-ever free agent contract in Earthquakes history.
“I always thought I would look good in blue and I would play well for the Quakes,” explained Barrett. “I’m definitely happy that I’m here now.
“It’s nice to get back into California, nice to be in the sun.”
Although Barrett knows the area and climate, the locker room was as unfamiliar as any upon his signing. As someone who had joined a new team on five prior occasions, Barrett knew what to expect, although the transition isn’t always the smoothest. San Jose has proved to be welcoming.
“They have been great, they really have. They brought me in like I was on the team last year. I know a lot of them professionally. I have played against Chris Wondolowski a ton of times, Clarence Goodson a ton of times, so I had a great respect for them. But now it’s gotten so much bigger because I know them as people, know them as friends.”
Barrett has quickly taken on a leadership role with his new club. With 255 games played under his belt, Barrett ranks 20th among all active MLS players and second on San Jose, trailing only defender Marvell Wynne (269), his college teammate at UCLA. The duo also played alongside one another for Toronto FC in 2008 and 2009.
“He actually took over my room when I left [UCLA]. And then we went to the U-20 World Championships together. Toronto – he had his own place, I had my own place, but we spent a lot of time together.”
So what does Barrett bring to San Jose? Well for starters he is one of just 12 players in Major League Soccer history to tally 50+ goals and 30+ assists. He is also one of nine players ever to score 50+ goals, while making 175 starts or fewer.
“You always learn your biggest lessons from your biggest mistakes. I’m a firm believer of that,” explained the veteran forward. “As long as you just appreciate and accept that you don’t know everything, that’s when you really start to develop as a player.”
In addition to packing his bags with a wealth of experience and success, Barrett didn’t shy away from bringing his confidence to the Bay Area as well.
“My expectation for 2016 is to be MLS Cup champions. San Jose Earthquakes bringing it back to Avaya Stadium.”
